Upcoming July Basho could be fascinating, unpredictable affair
It’s hard to know just what kind of physical or mental condition rikishi will be in when things kick off at Ryogoku Kokugikan on July 19.
Tamawashi's January victory among sumo's biggest shocks
Roughly half of sumo's recent first-time champions have been rikishi on the way up. Takakeisho, Mitakeumi and Asanoyama are young guns who should all win titles again in the future. The other half are rikishi like Tochinoshin and the now-retired Kisenosato — veterans whose Emperor's Cup ...
Hakuho remained alone at the top of the leaderboard after beating Tamawashi at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday. Having started the second week of the meet as outright leader, Hakuho made sure it stayed that way by forcing out the No. 4 maegashira ...
Title appears up for grabs at upcoming Nagoya Basho
Commentators often divide sumo into eras, each defined by its outstanding rivalry. Whether it's Akebono vs. Takanohana, Taiho against Kashiwado or Tochinoshiki taking on Wakanohana, great yokozuna pairings have traditionally been the standard way to separate one generation of rikishi from the next. So dominant has ...
Yokozuna Hakuho held off a stern challenge from sekiwake Takakeisho on Wednesday to maintain his perfect 11-0 record at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament. No. 4 maegashira Ichinojo is one win behind the Mongolian yokozuna, who aims to hold onto the lead for a record-extending ...
When many people think of sumo, they imagine two large men locked in a vice-like grip straining to force each other out of a ring. The common English-language naming of the sport as "sumo wrestling" also reinforces that grappling image. Go to almost any stable and ...
Hakuho, other challengers ready to chase spring glory
The Osaka Basho, which gets underway on Sunday, is arguably the most wide-open tournament sumo has seen in years. With three of the last four meets crowning first-time champions, guessing who will be hoisting the Emperor's Cup on March 24 is like trying to predict ...
Tamawashi put on thrilling show during run to first title
Just prior to the 2018 September Tournament, while sitting in a sweltering Ryogoku Kokugikan and watching the Yokozuna Deliberation Council practice session, I grabbed a quick selfie with a couple of rikishi standing over my right shoulder. Tochinoshin and Mitakeumi were the two wrestlers in ...
Sekiwake Tamawashi became the second-oldest wrestler in sumo's current format to secure his maiden championship, winning the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday, the tourney's 15th and final day. The 34-year-old Mongolian wrapped up his triumph with his 13th victory, beating No. 9 maegashira ...
Tamawashi maintains lead heading into final day in quest for first title
Sekiwake Tamawashi maintained his lead by beating No. 5 maegashira Aoiyama with one day remaining in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday. Tamawashi picked up his 12th victory and will go into Sunday's bout at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan with a one-win lead over ...
Newly promoted sekiwake Takakeisho handed yokozuna Hakuho his third straight loss on Friday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. Hakuho gave up his share of the lead, falling one win behind Tamawashi (11-2) with two days remaining in the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku ...
Tamawashi defeats Hakuho for first time, grabs share of tournament lead
Mongolian sekiwake Tamawashi grabbed a share of the lead with his first career win over yokozuna Hakuho on Thursday, the 12th day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament. On the verge of beating Tamawashi for the 14th time with one final push, overnight leader ...
